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    February 14, 2012

Red Cross: Sahel Food Crisis Could Affect 23 Million

   VOA News
   A Sahrawi man stands in the Sahara desert between Tindouf and Tifariti,
   February 26, 2011.
   Photo: Reuters
   A Sahrawi man stands in the Sahara desert between Tindouf and Tifariti,
   February 26, 2011.

   The federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says food
   shortages in Africa's Sahel region could affect up to 23 million people
   if more aid is not received soon.
   The federation said Tuesday there are already some 14 million people
   across the semi-arid region who do not have enough food.
   Authorities blamed the crisis on poor harvests.
   The Sahel region stretches across Chad, Niger, Mali, Mauritania,
   Burkina Faso and Senegal.
   The region is vulnerable to food shortages. Up to 10 million people
   were affected by the last food crisis two years ago.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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